Brakes

This had probably been done, but what's a decent brake?
I'm looking at the Tektro CR720, Avid Shorty 6 and TRP Euro X. I can also get Cane Creek's and Shimano's. Pads aren't a consideration, since i've already got some Salmon's.

I love my euro X. The standard Euro X doesn't have the "adjust" brake pad holders which allow for easy toe in. But the Newer carbon and Mags have the adjust pads. Or you can just bend the posts on the pad holders (which i did last year)

My shorty keeps sticking on one side. I may have fixed the problem by taking the spring and bending it so it applies more pressure to open the brake. This even happened in a race. For that reason I don't recommend the Avid Shorty that came on my Trek XO1.

TRP's are quite choice. I've been running the TRP Carbons since last year and I love them. You won't be disappointed. Not sure if they are out yet, but check out the FSA cantis, they look pretty awesome too.

I'm really liking the wide profile CR720 on the front and whatever low profile in the back (i have cane creek but wouldn't notice if anyone changed them to any of the others: it's a rear brake - if it'll lock up when i want to slide the wheel around, that's all i need out of it). Dual-compound Koolstop pads are nice.

I just swapped my Shorty 4's for Cr 720's. No matter what I did I could not get my short's to stop squealing and they had jack for stopping power. So far, my cr720's are a ton better. However, I have only had them on for a week.

No reason not to go pauls. They are a little pricey but I love the way mine feel. In over a year I have not had one issue or even had to adjust them once other than a slight cable tension adj. as the pads wore.

Around here, I hear mud is very present almost weekly, and after reading that Velonews article, I'm still not sure how to go.
I used to race cars, and even in road racing, I need a powerful brake, so the shorter designs may be more for me, despite their unfriendliness towards mud.

Around here, I hear mud is very present almost weekly, and after reading that Velonews article, I'm still not sure how to go.
I used to race cars, and even in road racing, I need a powerful brake, so the shorter designs may be more for me, despite their unfriendliness towards mud.

In the limited racing I have done in the mud my low profiles packed up extremely quickly and slowed me considerably.

If you are racing in the mud you are going to be going slow for the most part so braking power isnt of highest priority, but clearance is. If mud is really ubiquitous in your area I would grab some CR720s and throw on salmon pads and really play with that straddle cable height to try and get a good feel out of them.

If you really want lo pro brakes I imagine a bunch of experienced riders in your area may have them collecting dust and would sell them on the cheap.

For Sale:
Dugast Rhino 30c, previously glued and needs new tube, but lots of tread left $35+ shipping

do you ride those? If so how much "gentle bending" was needed to get the toe right? Also, those look like older style cartridge pads that were popular on cantis in the mid to late 90s; how easy is it to get a replacement cartridge for those?

For Sale:
Dugast Rhino 30c, previously glued and needs new tube, but lots of tread left $35+ shipping